For the past few seasons, the Calgary Flames have developed a reputation. They’re a hockey club that doesn’t score first often. They don’t lead often, and so they chase in games. They tend to let the other team to dictate what type of game is going to be played. Wins happen, sure, but they’re dramatic and labour intensive for the team.
So far this season? Not so much.
Last season, the Flames were 20-5-2 when they scored first. But they scored first less than half the time, which resulted in chasing in games. They trailed, on average, for 21:12 in every game – 13th in the league.